Bodhi Tree Invests $180 Million for Majority Stake in A2B
James Murdoch and Uday Shankar's Bodhi Tree Systems takes control of the Chennai sweets and restaurant chain, with Shankar to chair its new board.
Key Takeaways
- Bodhi Tree Systems is investing $180 million for a majority stake in Adyar Ananda Bhavan (A2B).
- The exact size of the stake was not disclosed.
- Uday Shankar will chair A2B's new board of directors.
- A2B has 160 outlets in India, more than 30 overseas and about 15,000 employees.
- Bodhi Tree's earlier investments include ALLEN Career Institute and JioStar.
Table of Contents 4 sections
Adyar Ananda Bhavan (A2B), the Chennai-based chain of South Indian sweet shops and restaurants, is getting $180 million from investment platform Bodhi Tree Systems for a majority stake. The deal was announced on Thursday, November 12, 2026.
Bodhi Tree Systems is the platform run by James Murdoch and Uday Shankar. The companies did not share the exact size of the stake. Uday Shankar will serve as chairperson of A2B's new board of directors.
Bodhi Tree's deal for Adyar Ananda Bhavan at a glance
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Company | Adyar Ananda Bhavan (A2B) |
| Investor | Bodhi Tree Systems (James Murdoch and Uday Shankar) |
| Amount | $180 million |
| Stake | Majority (exact share not disclosed) |
| A2B board chair | Uday Shankar |
| Headquarters | Chennai |
| Outlets | 160 in India, more than 30 overseas |
| Employees | About 15,000 |
| Announced | November 12, 2026 |
How Adyar Ananda Bhavan grew from a sweet shop
Adyar Ananda Bhavan grew from a sweet shop. It now sells South Indian sweets and savouries, and runs vegetarian restaurants. Its strongest presence is in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
The chain has 160 outlets in India and more than 30 outside the country, including in Singapore, the United States, Australia, Malaysia and the United Kingdom. It has about 15,000 employees. Bodhi Tree's earlier investments include ALLEN Career Institute and JioStar.
Where Adyar Ananda Bhavan stands after the Bodhi Tree deal
With this deal, Bodhi Tree Systems takes a majority stake in Adyar Ananda Bhavan for $180 million, and Uday Shankar becomes chairperson of A2B's new board. The chain runs 160 outlets in India and more than 30 overseas with about 15,000 employees.
More news
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Adyar Ananda Bhavan?
How much is Bodhi Tree investing in Adyar Ananda Bhavan?
How big is Bodhi Tree's stake in Adyar Ananda Bhavan?
Who runs Bodhi Tree Systems, the new majority owner of Adyar Ananda Bhavan?
Who will chair Adyar Ananda Bhavan's board?
When was the Adyar Ananda Bhavan deal announced?
How did Adyar Ananda Bhavan start?
How many outlets does Adyar Ananda Bhavan have?
Which countries does Adyar Ananda Bhavan operate in outside India?
How many people work at Adyar Ananda Bhavan?
Which other companies has Bodhi Tree Systems invested in before Adyar Ananda Bhavan?
Where is Adyar Ananda Bhavan strongest in India?
More in Investments
ValueQuest Commits Rs 775 Crore to Three Indian Companies
ValueQuest has committed Rs 775 crore to Sagar Defence Engineering, Rational Engineers and TASE Global.
Norwest Closes $4 Billion Norwest 18, Its Largest Fund Yet
Norwest has closed its largest fund, Norwest 18, at $4 billion for the US, India and Israel.
Hwashin and Seoyon E-Hwa Propose Rs 1,370 Crore for Tamil Nadu
Hwashin and Seoyon E-Hwa have proposed Rs 1,370 crore of investments in Tamil Nadu over five years.